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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Kyoto Geisha Release Fish into Shirakawa River

Kyoto Geisha金魚放流「いのち」に感謝 祇園で放生会

To give thanks to the living things we eat every day, geisha on June second released 2000 goldfish into Gion's Shirakawa River.

The event is officially called the Gion Ceremony to Release Wild Animals or Fish.

Like the recent release of fireflies at Daikakuji Temple, it is also a reminder of the depth and breadth of Buddhist influence in Japan. Buddhism, of course, prohibits the taking of life.

This event, though, is not an ancient Kyoto rite. It only dates to 1985.


Photo ©Kyoto Shinbun

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